"I want to stay," Jonny says, fingers gripping Patrick's tight in his own. "I don't want to leave."
He's willed his way into things before, he's playing the kind of hockey he wants to, the kind of hockey that matters. He can will himself to stay in Patrick's life if he wants to.
"You'll see me," Patrick promises.
Jonny's frustrated because Patrick doesn't understand. Patrick has to remember for both of them. "When?"
"I can't," Patrick says. He shakes his head furiously and then shrugs, smile cutting in its insincerity. "We play together soon."
Sighing angrily, Jonny peels away. He drops down onto Patrick's sofa, glaring a hole into the coffee table in the hope that it will absorb all of his irritation with Patrick. He's not really sure what's up with Patrick, what he does in the future to make Patrick leave. He would never leave Patrick, he would never let this be the person he cherishes most in the world. Jesus. "What are we?"
Patrick looks at him, eyes narrowing. "Friends, buddy."
"No, you know what I mean." They both know Jonny will stare at Patrick until he gives in but this Patrick has been dealing with a more intense Jonny, a Jonny that's had time to grow into his approach to hockey - and, apparently, to Patrick - and his face closes down. Jonny feels just like he did when he was younger and his mother stopped him from playing hockey when he was sick. "Patrick-"
Patrick walks away from him, back straight.
They don't speak for two days and Jonny disappears like that, words useless and frustration mounting.